Receptacle for items forming a storage space in a dashboard of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a receptacle for storing objects within a space within a vehicle, such as the dashboard area. The receptacle is intended for storing miscellaneous articles so as to be used as a glove compartment and the like. The receptacle is delimited by a set of faces which define an opening. One of the faces is formed of a deformable material. A stiffening frame is provided within the deformable material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a receptacle for items intended, inparticular, to form as a storage space in a vehicle such as, a glovecompartment or the like in a dashboard. It also relates to a process formanufacturing, by moulding, a dashboard having such a receptacle foritems.

The present invention will thus find an application, in particular, inthe field of fittings for vehicle passengers.

BACKGROUND ART

At the present time, receptacle for items such as glove compartments orthe like, are formed by a shell of rigid material provided at the rearof a vehicle's dashboard.

Dashboards also serve, for instance, to conceal various items such as,electric cable ducting, ventilation devices or the like, the overalldimensions of which are laid down in specifications. These receptaclesare of a complex shape and are provided with numerous recesses suitablefor leaving free spaces for these items. The internal capacity of suchrecptacles is thus small, which often makes it impossible to put itemstherein, even when they are of small size.

Another drawback is that they are difficult to produce. Moulds ofcomplex shapes are required in order to define the recesses. Inaddition, to preclude the risk of exceeding the size limits imposed bythe other items present under the dashboard, which would preventinstallation, additional clearances are provided for, thus furtherreducing internal capacity.

Finally, since the shell is rigid, mould stripping requirementsnecessitate deliberate limitation of the space that the receptacle couldoccupy behind the recesses in the mould stripping direction.

In addition, since the receptacle is rigid, any contact with the itemsplaced behind the dashboard and liable to come into interferencetherewith will result in noise.

The object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle foritems, as well as a process for manufacturing, by moulding a dashboardhaving such a receptacle, which overcome the aforementioned drawbacksand facilitate the storage of the items.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle foritems, as well as a process for manufacturing, by moulding a dashboardhaving such a receptacle, which are compatible with the other itemspresent behind the dashboard.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle foritems, as well as a process for manufacturing, by moulding a dashboardhaving such a receptacle, which are easy to produce and install so as tocut down the cycle time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle foritems, as well as a process for manufacturing, by moulding a dashboardhaving such a receptacle, which permit swift changes of range.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle oflimited weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle of animproved aesthetic appearance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a receptaclewhich can be easily illuminated.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge inthe course of the following description which is provided, however, onlyby way of example and is not intended to limit same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a receptacle for items intended, toconstitute a storage space in a vehicle such as, a glove compartment orthe like, for instance in a dashboard. The receptacle is being delimitedby a set of faces defining an opening. The receptacle has a bracingframework and at least one of the faces is formed by at least onedeformable material.

The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing, bymoulding, a dashboard having such a receptacle for items. The receptacleis intended to form a storage space in a vehicle, such as, a glovecompartment or the like. The receptacle is defined by faces forming anopening.

There is provided a framework for bracing the receptacle;

The dashboard and the bracing framework are moulded simultaneously;

At least one of the faces is constituted by at least one deformablematerial.

The invention will be more readily understood with reference to thefollowing description as well as to the annexed drawings, which form anintegral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a form of embodiment of areceptacle according to the invention provided behind a dashboard. Thereceptacle for items and the dashboard are represented in an explodedview.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, in a longitudinal direction,illustrating the principle of cooperation of the receptacle of FIG. 1,with other items also present behind the dashboard of a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2,illustrating the principle of deformation of one of the faces of theexemplary receptacle shown through the effect of an object that itcontains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a receptacle for items intended to form astorage space in a vehicle such as a glove compartment or the like in adashboard. It also relates to a process for manufacturing, by moulding,a dashboard having such a receptacle for items.

The present invention will thus find an application, in the field ofaccessories for vehicle passengers.

However, such applications are not limitative, and the present inventionwill also find a use in all sectors of economic activity in which thereis occasion to encounter boxes, boots, covers or the like, for storingitems having varying sizes, shapes or functions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a form of embodiment of a receptacle 1for items, according to the invention. It is delimited by a set of faces2, which are quadrangular defining an opening 3.

The receptacle 1 is provided, on a fixed support connected to a vehicle,such as, at the rear of a dashboard 4. According to this example ofapplication, it is provided, with recesses 5 which leave free space forother items present behind the dashboard of a vehicle.

According to the invention, receptacle 1 comprises a bracing framework6. In addition, at least one of the faces 2 is formed by a deformablematerial 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the deformable nature of certain of the faces 2 ofreceptacle 1 according to the invention makes it possible to deviate,after installation, around external items 8-10 such as, in the case ofan application to vehicle dashboards 4, ducting for electric cables,ventilation devices or others, also present behind the dashboard 4.

The internal space of receptacle 1 is thus increased in relation to thespace that would be afforded by a receptacle with a rigid shell. In thecase of the external item numbered 8, owing to the mould strippingrequirements of a rigid shell type receptacle equivalent to thereceptacle according to the invention, it would not be possible toreturn to the initial internal cross-section behind external item 8.

In addition, the use of a deformable material 7 makes it possible toreduce installation clearances since the faces 2 formed thereby canmatch the contours of the external items 8-10 and, because of theirflexibility, they will not create any noise in the event of interferencewith items 8-10 placed behind the dashboard.

According to one form of embodiment, opening 3 is closed, by a shutteror flap 11 articulated about a hinge 12. Other closing devices, such asthe one functioning according to the principle of a container swingingabout an axis of the "bread bin" type, can also be contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be noted that receptacle 1 according tothe invention makes it possible to to store items 13 that are largerthan those that could have been placed in an equivalent receptacle witha rigid shell, unless shutter 11 were left open. According to theinvention, since certain of the faces 2 are deformable, these arestretched out between external items 9, 10. For this purpose, material 7which forms them is endowed with properties of resistance to tearing andperforation.

According to one particular form of embodiment, the bracing framework 6of the receptacle 1 includes angle pieces 14, or similar means,defining, at least partially, edges on the receptacle 1. It may, forexample, be formed by at least one of the faces 2 constituting a rigidwall 15 of receptacle 1.

It can, be the face 2 on which the items rest through the effect ofgravity.

The framework can also be formed by a combination of these techniques orby other bracing systems such as upper hooks or suspension straps.

Bracing framework 6 can further include, rods suitable for reinforcingthe structure of receptacle 1 at critical points, other than the edges.

According to one form of embodiment, deformable material 7 is an elasticand/or textile material. It can be decorated, as applicable, or, if itis not located in a visible area, it can be formed of a recyclablematerial. Its lightness makes for an advantageous weight saving inapplications connected with the field of transport.

As to the material of bracing framework 6, this can be polypropylene,possibly covered by a skin formed, of polyvinyl chloride orpolypropylene.

According to one particular exemplary form of embodiment, the deformablefaces 2 are constituted by a cover 16 fixed to bracing framework 6. Thiscan be effected by gluing.

According to another form of embodiment, the means for fixing the cover16 to bracing framework 6 are removable. This enables the user to changethe aesthetic appearance of receptacle 1 at will and thus harmonize it,with the interior trim of the vehicle. In addition, this will facilitatechanges of range during production.

According to the invention, one of the deformable materials 7 is, forexample, translucent. Thus, at least one of faces 2 and/or at least oneportion of a face 2 has a translucent area. Consequently, it is nolonger necessary to provide for a lighting device in the region of thewalls of receptacle 1. A light source placed, externally, opposite thetranslucent area will, in fact, suffice. This will facilitate the designand manufacture of receptacle 1 according to the invention.

The translucent material can, be transparent.

The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing, bymoulding, a dashboard 4 having a receptacle 1 such as describedhereabove. According to this process, there is provided a framework 6for bracing the receptacle 1, and dashboard 4 and bracing framework 6are moulded simultaneously, using injection moulding. In addition, atleast one of faces 2 delimiting receptacle 1 is constituted by at leastone deformable material 7.

Bracing framework 6, formed by angle pieces 14, or the like, and/orrigid walls 15, is orientated, in a direction 17 which is the directionof mould stripping.

The manufacture, by moulding, of a dashboard 4 having a receptacle 1,added by secondary moulding, can also be contemplated.

It is also possible to mould separately dashboard 4 and bracingframework 6, which then includes a rigid frame around an opening 3. Theframe is provided with orifices cooperating with fixing means providedon the rear of dashboard 4.

It goes without saying that other embodiments of the present invention,within the grasp of a man of the art, could also have been contemplatedwithout thereby departing from the scope of the present application.

I claim:
 1. A receptacle for items forming a storage space in a vehiclein an area of a dashboard, the receptacle comprising a set of facesdefining an opening, said set of faces joined together by a bracingframework, at least one face of said set of faces is constituted by adeformable material, said bracing framework having at least one face ofsaid set of faces forming a rigid wall of the receptacle.
 2. Thereceptacle according to claim 1, wherein said bracing framework hasangle pieces defining, at least partially, edges of the receptacle.
 3. Areceptacle for items forming a storage space in a vehicle in an area ofa dashboard, the receptacle comprising a set of faces defining anopening, said set of faces joined together by a bracking framework, atleast one face of said set of faces is constituted by a deformablematerial, said deformable material being an elastic material.
 4. Thereceptacle according to claim 1, wherein said deformable material is atextile material.
 5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein theface constituted by the deformable material is a cover fixed to thebracking framework.
 6. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein saiddeformable material is translucent.